Yes, Friday is “Freebie Friday” but my license is expiring thus I need to research Anti-Virus program. Since many people love when I research programs you get to share my adventure. Also Professor Carol Dickson needs a new program as well. She’s comparing them as well so we are having a Geek -Off and comparing Anti-virus programs and then comparing results.
Tomorrow will be another post about ways to get more articles written, which should be a great post. I will share some hints from Michelle Shaeffer!
One common argument with anti-viruses is slow upgrades and slow complete scans. So this is a fairly common complaint that I will skip. Yes this is not a comprehensive list… this does not include the “big names” because they have again and again had problems. These were recommended by various “computer” friends that I trust.
FREE Anti-Virus editions.
Avast ~ My dad uses this currently. Editors give it a 5, Users 4.5. Review says it is effective, and most complete on the market as it protects you with multiple guards. Users seemed to have higher complaints on complete scan times.
AVG ~ A geek friend recommended. Free on Cnet. Editors give 5, Users 4. Scans can be scheduled. Oddly while the editors gave it a 5, they say it’s not the fastest or most effective free option. It does offer an Identity Theft Recovery (??) for users in the United States. The users complain quite heavily on False positives while missing true problems.
Microsoft Security ~A Computer Repair Friend/Geek recommended Editors 4.5 Users 4. Good full scan but slower than average complete scan. It has a small RAM usage which means you can continue working. Currently on my laptop seems stable, and can work while doing a complete scan. It’s light enough I worry about protection.
Bitdefender ~ No Editor Review. Users 3.5 Several users say to use with other programs (thus defeating the free program bit) Hard to uninstall. But it is fast, highly configurable. And good detection.
PAID
Personally If I am going to pay, then I will get “Internet Security” with a firewall, anti-virus and forms of computer protection, than just an Anti-virus.
ESET ~ Various prices CNET Editors 5 Users 4 ~ This is on my desktop and expiring. Price is the largest complaint. ESET is recommended by computer repair shops and users rave over it being light. Updates are quick, easy and painless.
Avast ~ BEST DEAL: 3 computers, 2 years $59.95 Cnet Editors 5 Users 4. (Same results as Free Anti-virus)
AVG ~ Cnet editors 4 Users 3 Results were similar to the free, but the Firewall had blocked some well known sites. Price is a con because it is more expensive than ESET.
What will I do? Load Microsoft Security on my desktop. In a month I will either get ESET or Avast. Hopefully there will be a discount or a sale running. I will probably get 3 computers for 2 years. In case I upgrade or add another computer to my lineup.
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MJ Schrader
Great information. I use Nortons security and so far I am happy with it. I think it was more expensive than Avast.
I have done quit a bit of research on anti-virus programs when I was shopping for one and there was petty much a consensus Avast is the best free program. I've never tried it. I use Norton on one computer and McAfee on another. Neither were rated the best. The ratings I looked at were bases on the speed of the delivery of a solution to a threat. I don't remeber what was rated the best. I do remember it was really expensive. I also use a spy sweeper program that catches things Noron or McAfee do not catch. Good luck in your quest for a discount.
I haven't used Norton in a long time. I was rather disappointed and have switched to the “smaller” companies who seem to have the recommendations of the tech lovers I know. Thank you I will research Norton to see if it will work for me
~ MJ
George, well I also have Advanced System care. It's free and pretty good, fixing broken links, getting rid of empty files and removing spyware. Pretty cool. I may add Avast Free to my laptop until next month. ~ MJ